Tech sector’s use of 457 visas soars

Australia’s tech sector says it is turning to 457 visas because it can’t find the experience it requires with local workers. Photo: Nic Walker

James Hutchinson

The technology sector’s use of temporary skilled migration visas grew nearly 75 per cent over the past two years, and has trebled for IT managers during the same period, as major technology companies continue to cut local staff and attempt to find experienced workers.

The new figures come after the federal government attempted last month to curb over-use of the 457 visa scheme, which allows companies to sponsor migrants to work for up to four years.

According to a new study released on Tuesday by the Australian Workplace and Productivity Agency, some 9271 workers classified as computer professionals were awarded 457 temporary skilled migration visas during the 2011-2012 financial year, up from 7861 in 2010-2011, and 5327 the year before.

At the same time the number of IT managers hired under 457 visas trebled over two years, from 268 to 804 in 2011-2012.

Technology staff accounted for 13.5 per cent of all 457 visas awarded last year, though the scheme remains a small proportion of the 460,800 total IT workers in Australia.

AWPA chief executive Robin Shreeve said although enrolments in tertiary IT courses had risen since 2008, a perceived lack of experience and skills required in some areas of the industry had caused companies to increase use of the visas.

“The reason some companies have gone for 457s is not because of the educational background but some of the people they perceive to have more experience,” he told The Australian Financial Review.